Isui-en Garden

Overview

Isui-en Garden is a pond-style strolling garden (chisen kaiyuushiki teien) located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. It is divided into two distinct sections: the front garden and the back garden, each offering a unique aesthetic experience. The front garden was created in 1673 (Kanbun 12) by Kiyomichi Kisumi, a bleach maker, and features the Sanshu-tei teahouse as its centerpiece. The back garden, a hill-and-pond strolling garden, was constructed in the Meiji period by the businessman Seki Tojiro, with landscape design by the twelfth head of the Ura Senke school of tea ceremony, Utammyosai Munomitsu. Themed after the Heijo-kyo capital, it boasts a majestic view incorporating borrowed scenery such as Wakakusayama mountain and Todai-ji's South Gate. Both gardens utilize water from the Yoshishiro River, a tributary of the Yamato River, creating a beautiful soundscape and a tranquil atmosphere of wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection). The Nakamura family, who made their fortune in shipping, purchased the property in 1939 and consolidated the front and back gardens. In 1969, they established the Niraku Museum to display their art collection, opening it to the public. Isui-en Garden is also enchanting for its beauty throughout the four seasons. Enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy landscapes in winter, offering a constantly changing vista throughout the year. The garden also features a teahouse, watermill, and other attractions, allowing for a leisurely stroll. When visiting Nara, be sure to visit Isui-en Garden.